Westminster Begins Its 138th Year with Welcoming Joy

Opening Day on Sept. 8 brought a welcoming celebration of new and returning students and a joyful reconnection as Martlets came to start the school year on Williams Hill. As a steady stream of cars drove onto campus, students and their families were first welcomed by Dean of Admissions Miles Bailey ’94, Dean of Residential Life A-men Rasheed, and Director of Advancement Newell Grant Jr. ’99. Dressed in prefect team jerseys and accompanied by mascot Marty the Martlet, members of the prefect board waved flags and signs and cheered vehicles that honked their horns so that the welcome could be heard across campus. 
 
Once students completed registration in Armour Academic Center, faculty members directed families to student dorms and Sixth Formers sprang into action to help carry boxes, luggage, clothing, and textbooks, leaving cars empty and helping dorm rooms take shape. Sixth Formers showed their grit assisting with energetic move-ins all over campus and demonstrated grace by offering warm welcomes and introducing new and returning students in individual dorms. 

Parents Ann and David Dunn traveled from New Canaan, Connecticut, with stepmom Aubrie Dunn, to move in their son Connor, a Fifth Form boarder who is starting his first year at Westminster. “Everything was so well organized. The registration process and moving him into Squibb was a definite 10 out of 10,” shared Ann. Eating lunch in Gund Dining Room, David said, “Right now, Connor is off with the friends he met at the hockey summer session at St. Anselm. It was a great opportunity for him to connect with his teammates, but that’s why we’re here eating lunch without him!” Ann and Aubrie reported, “We’re not worried about anything related to school. We know Westminster is going to be great for Connor. Getting used to our empty nests will be the hard part.” 

Also eating lunch in Armstrong Dining Hall on Opening Day, new Fifth Form day student Emmet Walsh from Simsbury, Connecticut, was looking forward to settling into life on campus and starting his first soccer season. His father, Brian, and sister, Molly, said that registration was easy and that the new parent gathering on Keyes Patio last week was a fun event that connected them with other new families. “I loved playing Spikeball,” said Emmet with a smile. 

Peer leaders, Sixth Formers, and international students returned over the four days prior to the official Opening Day, with most students arriving on the Tuesday after Labor Day. The 429 students who arrived on campus represent 22 states including Colorado, Michigan, Virginia, Maine, Texas, and Florida as well as 22 countries, including Peru, Bulgaria, Rwanda, Korea, Norway, and Ukraine. There are a total of 129 Sixth Formers and postgraduate students, 119 in the Fifth Form, 113 Fourth Formers, and 68 in the Third Form. 
  
The next day featured the first Chapel of the school year with Head of School Elaine White introducing the Head Prefect Address, delivered by Hudson Black ’27, a boarder from Darien, Connecticut. Hudson spoke on this year’s theme, balance, saying, “To those who are not good at balancing things, don’t worry. There’s no better place to learn a new skill than Westminster,“ said Hudson. “Everywhere you look someone who person who supports your goals and wants you to succeed.” Hudson also encouraged students to set goals for the school year. “Think about what you want to accomplish in your limited time on Williams Hill. We all wear the black and gold. We all fight with grit and live with grace. We're all here for a reason. Do not forget your reason.”

Following his address, Sixth Formers led a procession toward the Sixth Form Lawn for the traditional pin ceremony. Former Head of School Graham Cole began the practice as a way of recognizing the Sixth Form and emphasizing their responsibility as leaders to uphold the core values of character, community, involvement, and balance. The Sixth Form class designs its unique pin in the spring of their Fifth Form year and wear their pins all year as a constant reminder of their leadership responsibility and commitment to grit and grace. That Sixth Form design is also on their Sixth Form flag, a practice begun by former Head of School Bill Philip. The flag resides in the head of the school’s office for the year, until it is needed to call a Hill Holiday.
 
After the pin ceremony, the Prefect Board led new students into Andrews Memorial Chapel for the sign-in ceremony. Students are expected to commit themselves to do their best to live up to the community standards and to embrace that commitment when they sign the school ledger.

The official first day of classes began with a special schedule on Thursday, September 10, including a moving presentation on self-awareness by mental health advocate, Kaleb Joseph, and the first advisory lunch. On Friday, students attended a special Chapel program on the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, which featured three members of Westminster faculty and staff who shared their personal experiences of that tragic day. 

The first full week of classes began Monday, Sept. 14.